Final Exam - Dystocia

Question 1

what is the most common cause of dystocia in friesian horses?

Answer 1

foals with contracted tendons

Question 2

what are signs associated with stage 1 of parturition in horses?

Answer 2

abdominal contractions, fetus moving into position, mares look colicky, uncomfortable

Question 3

what are signs associated with stage 2 of parturition in horses?

Answer 3

expulsion of the fetus & strong contractions

Question 4

what are signs associated with stage 3 of parturition in horses?

Answer 4

placenta is passed

Question 5

what are the 3 P’s of dystocia?

Answer 5

1. presentation - if longitudinal (anterior or posterior), if transverse (ventral or dorsal)
2. position - either dorsal or ventral
3. posture - disposition of the limbs, extended is normal, or can be flexed

Question 6

what is the purpose of using epinephrine as a part of an epidural for a mare dystocia?

Answer 6

relaxes the uterus to facilitate fetal manipulation & gives you more room to work - not going to do as many epidurals in mares though

Question 7

what are the steps you are going to take to evaluate a mare in dystocia?

Answer 7

rapid assessment of mare status, time sensitive

only wait 20 minutes before intervening!!!!! ensure placenta passes within 3 hours (emergency if retained)

positioning/manipulations a mare, we don’t use this commonly in a cow - trendelenburg positioning, someone can be prepping her while you work to position her

Question 8

what are the steps you are going to take to evaluate a cow in dystocia?

Answer 8

assess cow & fetus, typically don’t take a history

gap of 2-4 hours before you need to intervene!! placenta should pass within 12 hours (NOT AN EMERGENCY IF RETAINED!!!!!)

can do standing or in recumbency - after delivery, check for tears & spares

important to ask about facilities available - if using a chute - need the chute to open on the side to do the c-section

Question 9

what is the most common cause of dystocia in the mare and what factors may influence dystocia?

Answer 9

abnormal orientation of the fetus within the birth canal is most common!!

factors - stage 2 lasts longer than 40 minutes, retained limbs/head, thoroughbred mares experience more dystocia than quarter horses

Question 10

what is the most common cause of dystocia in the cow and what factors may influence dystocia?

Answer 10

incompatibility between size of fetus & dam’s pelvis - fetal/maternal mismatch, abnormal orientation

2nd most common, some variation in the 3 p’s - birth weight, calf shape, nutrition of cow, bulky calves harder to deliver, vulvar dystocia in first calf heifers that don’t dilate enough

Question 11

how do you address vulvar dystocia in a first calf heifer?

Answer 11

manual dilation of the cervix using your arms - cervix will open with manual pressure

Question 12

what are the chances of survival of a cow following dystocia? what is its prognosis for reproductive capabilities?

Answer 12

6.2% of cows die during dystocia

no association between age & mortality, but delay in admission is influential towards fetal survival

time frame > 3-4 hours negatively impacts outcome

unlikely to hospitalize cows after dystocia - gp vets can usually do a c section

Question 13

what are the chances of survival of a mare following dystocia? what is its prognosis for reproductive capabilities?

Answer 13

16% of mares die!!!!

decreased prognosis with time frame > 90 minutes before c-section, partial fetotomy before c-section, > 16 years of age, & concurrent maternal disease (colic)

c-sections are not commonly done in private practice

68% will carry another foal as long as chorioallantois delivery is <90 minutes in a mare <16 years old